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Statutory Instruments

2026 No. 224

TRADE UNIONS

The Code of Practice (Picketing) Order 2026

Made

4th March 2026

The Secretary of State makes this Order in exercise of the powers conferred by section 205(4) of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992(1) (“the 1992 Act”).

In accordance with section 205(1) of the 1992 Act, the Secretary of State proposed to revise the Code of Practice on Picketing which first came into operation on 17th December 1980(2), for the purpose of bringing it into conformity with subsequent statutory provisions by the making of consequential amendments and the omission of obsolete passages.

In accordance with section 205(2) of the 1992 Act, the Secretary of State laid before each House of Parliament a draft of the revised Code of Practice on Picketing. Neither House of Parliament resolved within the period of 40 days beginning with the day on which the draft was laid that no further proceedings should be taken on the draft revised Code of Practice on Picketing.

In accordance with section 205(4) of the 1992 Act, the Secretary of State has issued the revised Code of Practice on Picketing in the form of that draft.

Citation and extent

1.—(1) This Order may be cited as the Code of Practice (Picketing) Order 2026.

(2) This Order extends to England and Wales and Scotland.

Appointed day for the Code of Practice

2.—(1) The revised Code of Practice on Picketing(3) comes into effect on 5th March 2026.

(2) In paragraph (1), “ the revised Code of Practice on Picketing ” means the revised Code of Practice on Picketing issued by the Secretary of State which was laid in draft before each House of Parliament on 7th January 2026.

Kate Dearden

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State

Department for Business and Trade

4th March 2026

(2)

The Code of Practice on Picketing came into operation by S.I. 1980/1757. Revised versions of the Code were subsequently brought into effect by S.I. 1992/476, S.I. 2017/237 and S.I. 2024/245.

(3)

The Code of Practice on Picketing is available on the gov.uk website at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/code-of-practice-picketing. A copy may also be inspected by contacting the Department for Business and Trade, Old Admiralty Building, Admiralty Place, London SW1A 2DY.

Status: This is the original version (as it was originally made). This item of legislation is currently only available in its original format.
The Code of Practice (Picketing) Order 2026 (2026/224)
Version from: original only

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